Translating Proper Names in Children's Literature: A Semantic Perspective

Abstract

The process of Translation enters the message of a source language (SL) into a target language (TL) making no alterations to the meaning of the message. The purpose of any literary translation would be to realize the author's imagination and intent without losing clarity with respect to the readership. Translating any proper name would be a special challenge since the process of shifting an expression may rely on whether the translator is stage-oriented or source-oriented. With increasing cultural exchange, translating children's literature has become a most important means of introducing young readers to other cultures. Yet proper names remain a challenge in translation due to their cultural nature. While some scholars consider proper names untranslatable, some are looking at options for translating them meaningfully into the TL. This abstract indicates the complexity of translating proper names and the necessity of bringing in an awareness of culture into the process of literary translation.